A leading expert claims texts written by the prophet suggests he intended to "protect and even defend peaceful Christian communities, not attack them".

It also argues that anti-Christian passages from the Islamic holy book have been misinterpreted.

The groundbreaking findings directly contradict the persecution perpetrated by ISIS fanatics on Christians in their so-called caliphate.

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“Scholars and believers are turning to them now because of the widespread violence against Christians”

Dr Craig Considine

The study's author, American academic Dr Craig Considine, said the texts "clearly show" that attacks against Christians "cannot be justified".

The obscure texts, which the Rice University professor says promote religious tolerance, have been out of print for centuries.

One text, a covenant with Christians in Persia, reads: "Muslims shall hold themselves in duty bound to aid and care for [Christians], for they are a people subject to my Nation, obedient to their word, whose helpers also they are."

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A member of Free Syrian Army uses truck mounted gun as the FSA members advance to al-Bab town of Aleppo during the "Operation Euphrates Shield" in Aleppo.

Dr Considine predicted the writings will prove influential for world leaders.

He said: “Scholars and believers are turning to them now because of the widespread violence against Christians in places like Iraq and Syria."

Hundreds of thousands of Syrian Christians continue to live under the tyranny of the barbaric terror group.

Devout followers of Christianity are also persecuted in Muslim countries such as Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia.